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Abstract

We report on the optical characterization of an ultrahigh diffraction efficiency
grating in a first-order Littrow configuration. The apparatus used was an
optical cavity built from the grating under investigation and an additional
high-reflection mirror. The measurement of the cavity finesse provided precise
information about the grating's diffraction efficiency and its optical loss. We
measured a finesse of 1580 from which we deduced a diffraction efficiency of
(99.635±0.016)% and an overall optical loss due to scattering and absorption
of just
0.185%. Such high-quality gratings, including the tool used for their
characterization, might apply for future gravitational wave detectors. For
example, the demonstrated cavity itself presents an all-reflective, low-loss
Fabry–Perot resonator that might replace conventional arm cavities in
advanced high-power Michelson interferometers.

References

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